Claim
11
Clint and his mother were brought before me by Rachel’s assistant.
I almost didn’t recognize the elderly woman in front of me as Clint’s mother.
She was dressed in dark clothes, without any makeup, with fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and gray hair at her temples. She looked to be in her late 60s or early 70s.
Clint, too, was exhausted–looking, no longer the vibrant young man he once was.
In less than two years, they’d been worn down, clearly having suffered a lot.
I couldn’t deny that seeing their state gave me a sense of satisfaction.
But along with that satisfaction came a feeling of bitterness.
Back then, Rachel and Vivian were so kind to Clint
Vivian had shown such respect to Clint’s mother
I had suffered so much because of their favoritism, but after I left, they quickly shifted their anger onto Clint and his mother.
Their love and hatred, their likes and dislikes, were so cheap, so easily discarded.
I admit it: I hated Clint and his mother, I deeply despised them, I couldn’t stand them.
But now, I hated Rachel and Vivian even more.
If Clint and his mother were purely evil, purely malicious,
Then Rachel and Vivian were just foolish, blind, and arrogant enablers of their cruelty.
I didn’t want to see the misery of Clint and his mother anymore.
And I certainly didn’t want to see either of them again.
I looked away. “I’ve seen the people you wanted me to see. Can I leave now?”
Vivian stood frozen in place, lifeless.
Rachel ordered for Clint and his mother to be taken away.
She looked at me, a faint, sorrowful smile on her face. “Even if you hate me, resent me, I won’t let you leave again.”
I was forced to stay and continue staying at the hotel.
Rachel had grown accustomed to solving all her problems with power.
In the following days, both she and Vivian tried their best to please me.
But I gave them no response, not a single word.
I didn’t even bother to eat the meals they brought.
Eventually, Vivian gave up and, after talking with Rachel, let me leave.
On the 17th day in New York, I boarded my flight home.
I knew Rachel and Vivian were probably on that plane as well.
After more than ten hours, the plane finally landed..
When I got home, I happily took a long nap.
When I woke up, I found that the young couple next door had moved out, and new neighbors had moved in.
The move had been so quick, it was no surprise that the new neighbors were Rachel and Vivian.
Sure enough, in the following days, I often ran into them.
One evening, after a dinner gathering, I saw Rachel standing under a streetlight, her figure alone and forlorn.
When she saw me, she slowly straightened up, forcing a smile. “Arland, you’re back.”
I ignored her and kept walking.
She pulled a box from her pocket and opened it. “I made this for you. You’ll look great wearing
it.”
Inside the box was a beautiful watch, encrusted with countless jewels.
Her hands were covered in many scars.
I took a brief glance but quickly turned my eyes away.
“I don’t want it.”
“Arland, what do I have to do to make you forgive me?” Rachel’s voice behind me was nearly breaking down.
I stopped and turned back to look at her. “Disappear from me forever, and I’ll forgive you.” Vivian seemed shattered, murmuring, “Arland, you’re so heartless…”
I chuckled softly but didn’t turn around.
After that day, Rachel didn’t appear in front of me for several days, and I was happy for the
peace.
I focused almost entirely on the design competition, spending my free time sketching ideas.
After the second round, I submitted my designs for the semifinals.
Five days passed in the blink of an eye, and I received the notification that I’d made it to the
finals.
To celebrate, I invited Linda and a few colleagues over for dinner.
While I was preparing the food, Vivian rang the doorbell.
When I opened the door, Vivian handed me a box. “I bought this from a Michelin restaurant. It’s all your favorite foods…”
“I’ve told you many times, I don’t need it.”
“Stop wasting your efforts.”
Vivian’s smile was sad. “Arland, no matter what I do, you won’t forgive me,
“I’m moving forward, and I hope you can too.”
will you?”
Vivian remained silent for a long time. “Next month is Mom’s memorial day. Will you be coming?”
“I didn’t go two years ago, and I’m sorry for that.”
For a moment, I remembered the phone call I had made to Vivian that day.
She would rather be with Clint and his mother, helping with their pets giving birth, than spend her mother’s memorial day with her.
Thankfully, Mom still had me.
Even if I was in another country, I would always visit her grave.
This year, of course, I would go.
I shook my head. “Don’t apologize to me. You should apologize to Mom.”
Vivian apologized again, then left quietly with the food.
Linda walked over and gently placed her hand on my shoulder. “Another one of your admirers?”
“No, just someone I used to know.”
Perhaps seeing the look on my face, Linda didn’t ask further and instead changed the subject to the competition.
Talking about the competition made my mood lighten, and I quickly forgot all the troubling past relationships.
On the day of the finals, I wore a well–tailored black suit and sat in the audience.
Vivian was in a black dress, dressed to the nines, sitting in the audience as well.
Rachel didn’t show up.
When the host called my name, there was a brief moment of silence in the room.
Then, the applause broke out.
Under the gaze of thousands of eyes, I stood up and walked slowly to the stage, taking the honor that should have been mine two years ago.
I thanked my colleagues for their help, Linda for her advice, and my mom in heaven.
Not once did I mention Vivian.
When I came down from the stage, Vivian suddenly rushed over. “Arland, Rachel’s been stabbed by Clint. Do you want to go see her?”
“Is she dead?”
“No, but the injury is serious.
Η
“I’m not a doctor. It won’t make a difference if I go.”
Vivian stood still, looking down, and didn’t speak for a long time.
